Swimming is one of the most popular sports in world. Unlike other sports, swimming is a life skill that is taught, first, to ensure safety and, secondly, for sports and competition purposes. Aquatics covers a great variety of swimming skills, from short sprints to longer events and relays. And the Aquatics coaching guide (below) gives coaches advice and approaches to successfully coach swimmers of all abilities, from strong, fast competitors to swimmers who find it hard to swim at all.

Open Water SwimmingSpecial Olympics has a growing number of athletes around the world taking part in open water swimming, a sport in which swimmers race in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and oceans instead of pools. Read the coaching guide and see stories and upcoming events by visiting the Open Water Swimming page.

Partnership with the Michael Phelps FoundationSpecial Olympics has a partnership with the Michael Phelps Foundation and has appointed the international swimming legend as a Special Olympics Global Ambassador. The Michael Phelps Foundation will expand its signature “IM” with Special Olympics that will bring water safety, recreational aquatic activities, and health, wellness and goal-setting instruction to Special Olympic athletes across the world.

Quizzes

March 03, 2015 | Middle East North Africa: Syria

Alaa is an extraordinary actor, amazing athlete and marvelous Swimmer

By Noha Gaballa

Alla Al-Zybk practices the daily trainings without getting bored; he follows his coach's orders and shows outstanding performance and a disciplined behavior.
Special Olympics plays an important role in improving his skills and abilities.View Story ▼Alla Al-Zybk practices the daily trainings without getting bored; he follows his coach's orders and shows outstanding performance and a disciplined behavior.
Special Olympics plays an important role in improving his skills and abilities. He has participated in many Regional and world games in more than one sport (Aquatics- Athletics) and gained many gold medals and other awards in Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Shanghai.
Alla has many interests and hobbies in which he showed an outstanding level. He has learnt the art of photography after joining several training courses “Damascus was the main idea of his pictures”. His sister said that Ministry of Culture had kept Alla's picture and put it in a catalog.
He also paints and has a special skill in blending and merging colors. Moreover, he takes care of small details as if he is taking a photo, not just painting.
Alla became famous after his role in "Behind the sun" series which was aired in the holy month Ramadan.

About Noha Gaballa:Noha Gaballa: SO MENA Staff

February 18, 2015 | North America: Jamaica

Jamaica Observer: Lions film crew captures Special Olympics swim meet

By Lorna Bell

From the article in the Jamaica Observer: The second edition of the Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) swimming competition was held at the University of Technology pool on February 7, and was featured by the Lions International film crew.View Story ▼From the article in the Jamaica Observer: The second edition of the Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) swimming competition was held at the University of Technology pool on February 7, and was featured by the Lions International film crew.
The crew was in the island to film a number of our events, including Healthy Athletes Screening, Special Olympics Jamaica unified basketball and unified floor ball.
The swimming featured 16 events and SOJ aquatics director Gabriel Heron said athletes provided spirited competition. Female swimmer Kadian Ingleton starred the show by winning all six events she participated in. She was particularly outstanding in the 100-metre freestyle with a time of 1:41.79. The top male athlete was Leon Barclay, who won three events. He was eye-catching in the 50-metre breaststroke with a time of 51.15.

About Lorna Bell:I am the executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica.

February 09, 2015 | Middle East North Africa: Libya

Libyan swimmer, Noman Al-Sadik Felfel (The World Champion) and his journey of achievements

By Noha Gaballah

Noman was born in 1971 with ID (DS) in a family of 11 members. He started practicing swimming since his early childhood, at the age of 4.
He is very sociable and has a sense of humor that takes the heart of whoever sees his kind spirit and cheerful smile that does not leave his lips.View Story ▼Noman was born in 1971 with Down syndrome in a family of 11 members. He started practicing swimming in his early childhood, at the age of 4.
He is very sociable and has a sense of humor that takes the heart of whoever sees his kind spirit and cheerful smile that does not leave his lips.
He was the first athlete to join Special Olympics Libya in 1998 and from here started the journey of his consecutive achievements:-
His first world participation was in the World Summer Games in the United States. He grabs the attention and makes a memorable achievement for Libya after winning 2 silver medals. This success was a superior matter for the advancement of sports of people with disabilities in Libya. After that, he participated in many successive regional and World games whereby he won many gold & silver medals in Tunisia, UAE, Syria, China and Greece.
After that, he was chosen as the global messenger for Special Olympics Libya.
He took parts in many international conferences where he was introduced as a role model for people with intellectual disabilities.

About Noha Gaballah:I am an editor with Special Olympics in the Middle East-North Africa office in Cairo.

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Aquatics Events

Date

Event

Location

March 14, 2015

Windham Invitational Swim Meet

Want to experience aquatics competition in its purest form? Come to Windham High School in Willimantic, Connecticut on March 14th to cheer on our athletes as they leave it all out there in the pool. Be a fan of the Special Olympics and help us promote the joy of sports. For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationSpecial Olympics ConnecticutEmail:specialolympicsct@soct.orgPhone:203-230-1201View More

Windham High SchoolWillimantic, ConnecticutUNITED STATES

March 21, 2015

Multi-State Aquatics Invitational

Join us March 21st at Pullen Aquatics Center in Raleigh, North Carolina as our as athletes compete and show their skill in Aquatics competition. Come and cheer on our athletes and witness the power of sports. For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationMore DetailsMegan O'Donnell Email:modonnell@sonc.netPhone:919-818-4598View More

West Aquatics Qualifier - Huntersville

Want to experience aquatics competition in its purest form? Come to Huntersville Fitness & Aquatics in Huntersville, North Carolina on April 11th to cheer on our athletes as they leave it all out there in the pool. Be a fan of the Special Olympics and help us promote the joy of sports. For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationMore DetailsMegan O'Donnell Email:modonnell@sonc.netPhone:919-818-4598View More

Central Aquatics Qualifier - Greensboro

Join us April 18th at Greensboro Aquatics Center in Greensboro, North Carolina as our as athletes compete and showcase their skill in aquatics competition. Come and cheer on our athletes and witness the power of sports. For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationMegan O'Donnell Email:modonnell@sonc.netPhone:919-818-4598View More

Greensboro Aquatics Center1921 West Lee StGreensboro, North CarolinaUNITED STATES

April 19, 2015

Regional Swim Meet

Join us April 19th at North Charleston Pool in North Charleston, South Carolina as our as athletes compete and show their skill in aquatics competition. Traditional swim events and unified relays will be offered for this regional competition. Come and cheer on our athletes and witness the power of sports. For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationDarline BrogdonEmail:darline.amb@hotmail.comView More

North Charleston PoolNorth Charleston, South CarolinaUNITED STATES

May 15 - 16 2015

Tennessee State Summer Games

The 2015 Tennessee State Summer Games will be held May 15th and 16th in Nashville, Tennessee. Over 2,500 athletes, coaches, volunteers, and family members will attend the two day event. Athletes will compete in seven sports: aquatics, athletics, bocce, Unified bocce, powerlifting, tennis, and Unified volleyball.For more informationMore DetailsView More

Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TennesseeUNITED STATES

May 19 - 22 2015

Montana State Summer Games

Join us for the Montana State Summer Games centered in Missoula and the surrounding area. Special events and competition will include bowling, aquatics, kayaking, cycling, track & field, and golf. Athletes work hard to get to the Games. Following eight weeks of rigorous training, they are ready to demonstrate their skill in intense competition. They will not disappoint!For more informationMore DetailsView More

Various VenuesMissoula, MontanaUNITED STATES

May 21 - 23 2015

Arkansas State Summer Games

The Special Olympics Arkansas Summer Games will be held at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. This event will bring together over 2,000 athletes and 500 coaches from across the state. This our largest event of the year, Summer Games features competition in aquatics, athletics, bocce, unified bocce, flag football, golf, powerlifting and team softball. Every race, every game, every competition held at Summer Games represents many weeks of training, preparation and dedication on the part of our athletes, coaches, and volunteers.For more informationMore DetailsSpecial Olympics ArkansasPhone:501-771-0222View More

Harding UniversitySearcy, ArkansasUNITED STATES

May 28 - 30 2015

South Dakota State Summer Games

This will be our 47th annual State Summer Games Competition. Approximately 600 athletes are expected to compete in athletics, aquatics, team soccer, individual soccer skills, powerlifting and volleyball. See you there!
For more informationMore DetailsJohna ThumEmail:jthum@sosd.orgPhone:605-331-4117View More

South Dakota State University CampusBrookings, South DakotaUNITED STATES

May 29 - 31 2015

Missouri State Summer Games

Join us May 29-31 for the 2015 Missouri State Summer Games in Springfield Missouri as our athletes showcase their skills over 3 days of sports competition. Athletes will compete in aquatics, soccer, track and field, powerlifting, and volleyball. For more details about the event please refer to link and contact info below.For more informationMore DetailsSusan ShafferEmail:shaffer@somo.orgPhone:573-635-1660 View More

Springfield, MissouriUNITED STATES

May 29 - 31 2015

Vermont State Summer Games

The Special Olympics Vermont Summer Games will involve over 400 athletes and partners. Competition will take place at the University of Vermont athletic facilities (aquatics, athletics, bocce) and the Williston Recreation Fields (softball). Two other staple events at the Summer Games will include our Healthy Athletes program and the culmination of our Law Enforcement Torch Run.For more informationMore DetailsView More

Various VenuesFairfax, VermontUNITED STATES

May 29 - 31 2015

Rhode Island State Summer Games

Join us May 29-31 at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island as over 1,500 athletes from across the state of Rhode Island compete in athletics, aquatics, cycling, bowling, motor activities training program, soccer, and powerlifting! For more details please use the contact information below.For more informationMore DetailsChris HopkinsEmail:chris@specialolympicsri.orgPhone:(401) 349-4900View More

University of Rhode Island45 Upper College RoadKingston, Rhode IslandUNITED STATES

May 29 - 31 2015

Hawaii State Summer Games

Over 1,000 Athletes and Coaches from throughout the state will participate in our Summer Games at the University of Hawaii and Central Oahu Regional Park. Athletes began training in February and are competing in Area and Regional competitions from the end of March through the beginning of May in preparation for the Summer Games. Competition will be held in powerlifting, softball, swimming and track and field. For more informationMore DetailsSpecial Olympics HawaiiPhone:808-943-8808View More

University of HawaiiHonolulu, HawaiiUNITED STATES

Jun 4 - 6 2015

Pennsylvania State Summer Games

The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Summer Games will be held at Penn State University in State College. The event will together over 2,000 athletes and 750 coaches from across the state. This is our largest event of the year. The Summer Games will feature three days of intense competition in aquatics, athletics, basketball, bowling, equestrian, golf, gymnastics, softball and tennis. Every race, every game, every competition held at Summer Games represents many weeks of training, preparation and dedication on the part of our athletes, coaches and volunteers. Spectators are welcome to visit any of the competition venues and cheer on the athletes.For more informationMore DetailsView More

Penn State UniversityState College, PennsylvaniaUNITED STATES

Jun 5 - 6 2015

2015 Special Olympics Nevada Summer Games

Four hundred athletes and their volunteer coaches will come together at the University of Nevada, Reno to experience the thrill of competing against other athletes from all over Nevada. After weeks of training and participating at a qualifying competition, athletes will compete in aquatics or track & field in state-of-the-art collegiate athletic facilities on the UNR campus. Over 500 volunteers were on hand to fill a variety of volunteer positions over the course of the weekend. Summer Games is the culminating Championship for aquatics and track & field and is one of the largest Special Olympics sporting competitions in Nevada. The minimum age of the competitors is 8 years of age and there is no age limit cap. Spectators are welcome and admission is free.For more informationMore DetailsHarry MongEmail:HarryM@sonv.orgPhone:702-635-8237View More

University of Nevada, Reno1664 North Virginia St.Reno, NevadaUNITED STATES

Jun 5 - 7 2015

Colorado State Summer Games

This years Summer Games will be held in Grand Junction at Colorado Mesa University. This event is the biggest Special Olympics Colorado competition of the year! The event brings together athletes from across the state to compete in five sports: athletics, aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting and soccer.For more informationMore DetailsSpecial Olympics ColoradoEmail:beafan@SpecialOlympicsCO.orgPhone:720-359-3100View More

Colorado Mesa UniversityGrand Junction, ColoradoUNITED STATES

Jun 5 - 7 2015

West Virginia State Summer Games

Special Olympics West Virginia Summer Games are the pinnacle of competition. Approximately 700 Special Olympics athletes from throughout West Virginia will gather in Charleston to compete in track and field, swimming, golf, tennis, baggo (corn-hole), bocce, and softball. Out incredible athletes will inspire everyone with their courage, determination, and skills. For more informationMore DetailsView More

Various VenuesCharleston, West VirginiaUNITED STATES

Jun 5 - 7 2015

Massachusetts State Summer Games

The official start of the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games begins with the traditional Opening Ceremony at Boston University. Highlights include remarks from special guests, one of our athletes acting as master of ceremonies, the Parade of Athletes, the Special Olympics Massachusetts flag relay and presentation and finally the culminating Torch Lighting Ceremony, by the Guardians of the Flame–our partners in the LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY. Saturday morning the games will begin on the grounds of the Harvard University athletic facilities, surrounding historic Harvard Stadium. Over 1,900 ATHLETES compete in the sports of aquatics, gymnastics, powerlifting, tennis, track & field and volleyball.For more informationMore Details Matt RuxtonEmail:Matt.Ruxton@SpecialOlympicsMA.orgPhone:508-485-0986 Ext. 22View More

Boston University and Harvard Athletic ComplexBoston, MassachusettsUNITED STATES

Kansas State Summer Games

Join us June 5-7 at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas as our athletes participate and show their skill over 3 days of aquatics, athletics and tennis competition. See you there! For more informationMore DetailsTim RehderEmail:rehdert@ksso.orgPhone:913-236-9290 X 108View More

Wichita State UniversityWichita, KansasUNITED STATES

June 12, 2015

Virgina State Summer Games

Summer Games, our largest State Games, is nothing short of legendary thanks to the overwhelming support of more than 3,000 local volunteers who brave the summer heat to assist more than 1,300 Special Olympics Virginia athletes each June. Athletes come from all corners of the state to compete in bocce, swimming, softball, track & field, bowling, powerlifting, and tennis at the University of Richmond and surrounding venues in Richmond. We are fortunate to have all of our Event Volunteer needs assigned for this year's Summer Games. We are currently recruiting Volunteer to Cheer fans and Medical Team members!
For more informationView More

University of Richmond and surrounding venuesRichmond , VirginiaUNITED STATES

Jun 12 - 14 2015

Illinois State Summer Games

Summer Games is Special Olympics Illinois premiere sports competition with more than 4,000 athletes and Unified Partners competing in 6 different sports, along with 1,600 coaches, 2,500 volunteers and 3,300 family members. That totals more than 11,400 people who attend Summer Games! The Summer Games are held at Illinois State University in Normal and the Illinois Wesleyan University campus in Bloomington. A variety of activities are provided for the participants in addition to the sports competitions. Competition will be offered in athletics, aquatics, bocce, Unified bocce, gymnastics, football (soccer) and powerlifting. The public is invited and encouraged to attend any and all parts of Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games. Hope to see you there!For more informationMore DetailsDavid ShindleyEmail:dshindley@soill.orgPhone:309-888-2551View More

ISU & IWU CampusBloomington-Normal, IllinoisUNITED STATES

Jun 26 - 28 2015

2015 Northern California Summer Games

Summer Games is the culminating competition for our spring sports season and is one of the largest Special Olympics sporting competitions in Northern California. After weeks of training and competing at a Regional competition, athletes will compete in
aquatics, bocce, tennis or track & field. Over 1,200 volunteers will be on hand to fill a variety of volunteer positions over the course of the weekend. Spectators are welcome and there is no charge for admission.For more informationMore DetailsJeff RuthenbergEmail:JeffR@sonc.orgPhone:916-375-1930View More

UC DavisOne Shileld Pl.Davis, CaliforniaUNITED STATES

Jul 24 - Aug 2 2015

World Summer Games Los Angeles 2015

In July of 2015 more than 7,000 athletes from 170 countries will come to Los Angeles, California for the Special Olympics World Summer Games and enjoy 10 days full of joy, friendship and competition. Athletes will compete in 22 sports. The event expects to attract 500,000 spectators and 30,000 volunteers and 3,000 coaches.For more informationMore DetailsWorld Summer Games Los Angeles 2015Email:info@la2015.orgPhone:213-892-6018View More

Made Possible by The Annenberg Foundation

The Special Olympics movement is profoundly grateful for the support of the Annenberg Foundation which has underwritten the production of the coaches’ guides and resources, supporting our global goals for coaches’ excellence.